Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following his conviction in a Ksh588 million corruption case. The ruling, delivered by Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki on Thursday, February 13, marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s fight against graft.
Waititu was handed a seven-year jail term or an alternative fine of Ksh53.5 million. His wife, Susan Wangare, received a one-year sentence with the option of paying a Ksh500,000 fine. The court ruled that their sentences would run concurrently.
Additionally, former Chief Officer for Roads, Transport, Public Works, and Utilities, Luka Mwangi Wahinya, was sentenced to two years in prison or a fine of Ksh1 million, alongside a mandatory fine of Ksh20 million, with a default penalty of five years in jail.
Directors of Testimony Enterprises Limited, Charles Chege Mbuthia and Beth Wangeci Mburu, were also convicted. Mbuthia was sentenced to four years in prison or a fine of Ksh2 million, with an additional mandatory fine of Ksh294 million. Mburu received a three-year sentence or a fine of Ksh1.4 million.
In his ruling, Magistrate Nzioki condemned the actions of the accused, stating that their conduct was a blatant violation of public trust.
“This case exemplifies a gross breach of public trust by the former governor and his co-accused. Their actions were deliberate, inexcusable, and undermined the fundamental principles of good governance,” Nzioki said.
The court determined that Waititu and his associates engaged in fraudulent tender allocations, conflict of interest, and forgery. Specifically, Waititu unlawfully benefited from public funds, including Ksh25 million channeled through a company linked to him.
Magistrate Nzioki further barred Waititu from holding any public office for the next 10 years, a significant blow to his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As part of the ruling, the prosecution was directed to return key documents, including passports and title deeds, to the accused. However, Waititu and his co-accused have been granted a 14-day window to appeal both the conviction and sentencing.
The verdict follows a lengthy legal battle that saw the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) present evidence from 32 witnesses and 741 exhibits. The court found the evidence overwhelmingly sufficient to convict Waititu and his co-accused on multiple counts of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
With this ruling, the judiciary has reinforced its commitment to tackling corruption at the highest levels, sending a strong message to public officials involved in misappropriation of public funds.
